

















uu 






THE RUNAWAY BUNNY 


Books by 

LAURA ROUNTREE 
SMITH 


Bear and Bunny Book, The 
Bunny Boy and Grizzly Bear 
Bunny Bright Eyes 
Bunny Cotton-Tail Junior 
Candy-Shop Cotton-Tails, The 
Children’s Favorite Stories 
Circus Book, The 
Circus Cotton-Tails, The 
Cotton-Tail First Reader, The 
Cotton-Tail Primer, The 
Cotton-Tails in Toyland, The 
Drills and Plays for Patri¬ 
otic Days 
Games and Plays 
Hawk-Eye, An Indian Story 
Reader 

Language Lessons from Every 
Land 

Little Bear 
Little Eskimo 

Merry Little Cotton-Tails, The 
Mother Goose Stories 
Primary Song Book 
Roly-Poly Book, The 
Runaway Bunny, The 
Seventeen Little Bears 
Snubby Nose and Tippy Toes 
Tale of Bunny Cotton-Tail, 
The 

Three Little Cotton-Tails 


Published by 

A. FLANAGAN COMPANY 

CHICAGO 









THE RUNAWAY 
BUNNY 


By 

Laura Rountree Smith 

M 


Illustrated by / 

Dorothy Dulin 


1923 

A. FLANAGAN COMPANY 

Chicago 


COPYRIGHT, 1923, BY A. FLANAGAN COMPANY, 


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C1A752879 


Printed in the United States df-America 

SEP 10 ’23 J 



CONTENTS 



Chapter I 

ry TIME TO RUN AWAY. 7 

V 

Chapter II 

THE HUNGRY RABBIT. 20 

Chapter III 

A LOAD OF EASTER EGGS. 35 

Chapter IV 

MOTHER BUN’S VISITORS. 48 

Chapter V 

THE ANIMALS’ FOURTH OF JULY. 58 

Chapter VI 

THE COUNTY FAIR. 66 

Chapter VII 

THE BUNNY SCHOOL. 77 

Chapter VIII 

THE TELL-TIIE-TIME RABBIT. 88 

Chapter IX 

THE THANKSGIVING DINNER.101 

Chapter X 

CHRISTMAS AT MOTHER BUN’S 


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“-4 very old Rabbit peeped out” {Page 35) 



























































THE RUNAWAY BUNNY 
Chapter I 

TIME TO RUN AWAY 

The Runaway Rabbit has formed the 
habit 

Of running away, I see. 

Oh, Runaway Rabbit, please form the 
habit 

Of staying awhile with me. 

The Runaway Rabbit sat on the 
doorstep of his own little house, say¬ 
ing, “By my cottontail, it is time for 
me to run away!” 

• He took out his little brown travel¬ 
ing bag and packed it full. 

He was in such a hurry to run away 
that he did not even stop to clear off 


8 


THE RUNAWAY BUNNY 



“Packed it fidl” 

his breakfast table. He did not even 
stop to wind his clock or lock his 
front door! 

Hippety-hop, lippety-lop, he went 
down the path, carrying his little 
brown traveling bag. 

“Where are you going?” asked the 
Whistling Wind. 

“Where are you going?” asked the 
Smiling Sun. 

To them both, the Runaway Bunny 
replied: 


THE RUNAWAY BUNNY 


9 



“Took out her field glasses’’ 


“Oho! I’m happy to have such fun; 
It’s such a pleasure to run and run!” 

He did not tell anyone where he was 
going. Many years ago he had made 
up his mind that some day he would 


















10 THE RUNAWAY BUNNY 

run away and visit his grandparents. 

Now wasn’t it funny? At this very 
minute Old Mother Bun was saying: 

“My old legs get so stiff; it’s funny! 
I wish I had a little Bunny!” 

She wanted a little Bunny to travel 
up and down the cellar stairs for her. 

At this very minute Old Father Bun 
was saying: 

“I would pay a mint of money 
If I had a visiting Bunny!” 

He wanted a little Rabbit to bring 
in wood and water. 

Suddenly, without any warning 
whatever, Old Mother Bun took out 
her field glasses. And as she looked 
out of the window she remarked, “I 
think I see a little figure away over in 


THE RUNAWAY BUNNY 


11 



the field coming this way very fast!” 

Old Father Bun put his long ears 
close to the window to listen. 

He had wonderful hearing, and he 
said, “I think I hear the far-off patter, 
patter, patter of little feet. Some one 
is coming. He should be here in five 
minutes.” 



12 


THE RUNAWAY BUNNY 


Father Bun took out his watch and 
kept looking at it, while he went out¬ 
doors to wait. He had not long to wait, 
for the Runaway Bunny soon came in 
sight. He cried: 

“I’m the Runaway Bunny. I’ve come 
all the way 

To say, ‘How do you do?’ and wish 
you good day.” 

He set down his traveling bag and 
kissed his grandparents. 

Old Mother Bun said, “You are our 
own dear grandson.” 

Father Bun said, “Come right in¬ 
side, my dear.” 

The Runaway Bunny was glad to 
sit down by the kitchen stove and eat 
cookies as fast as Old Mother Bun took 
them out of the oven. 


THE RUNAWAY BUNNY 


13 



“The Runaway Bunny winked one eye ,f 


Now he had heard the old Rabbits 
wishing before he had entered the 
house. So he went pitter, patter, clit- 
ter, clatter, down to the cellar and 
brought up a great green cabbage. 
He put it into a chopping bowl and 
chopped it up for dinner. 

Then he went pitter, patter, clitter, 
clatter, down to the cellar and 


14 


THE RUNAWAY BUNNY 


brought up many other good things. 
Old Mother Bun said: 

“You are such a little treasure, 

To keep you here will be a pleasure.” 

At this the Runaway Bunny winked 
one eye; for he never stayed anywhere 
very long. 

He had formed the habit of running 

away. 

He next went with a hop and a skip 
and a bound, and brought in wood 
and water. 

Old Father Bun was delighted. He 
said: 

“I swear, by my long and floppy ears, 
I will keep you here for years and 
years!” 



“Opened his traveling bag” 













































16 ' THE RUNAWAY BUNNY. 

The Runaway Bunny looked cross¬ 
eyed; but he had a merry time all day. 

He said, “Grandmother Bun, what 
a £ine pantry you have!” and “Grand¬ 
father Bun, what a fine garden you 
have! Will you take me riding in your 
wheelbarrow?” 

When evening came he and his 
grandparents popped corn. And when 
it was bedtime the Runaway Bunny 
opened his traveling bag and brought 
out a brand new nightcap for Old 
Mother Bun and a brand new pipe for 
Old Father Bun. 

They said: 

“We love you so, we’ll keep you, 
honey. 

Please say you’ll live with us, little 
Bunny.” 


THE RUNAWAY BUNNY 


17 



“Tucked him up snug and warm” 


The Runaway Bunny coughed po¬ 
litely and took his little brown travel¬ 
ing bag and went pitter, patter, clitter, 
clatter, upstairs. 

He put on his little white nightcap 
and night robe. 







18 


THE BUNAWAY BUNNY 


Old Mother Bun tucked him up 
snug and warm in bed, and Old Father 
Bun sang: 

“Tra, la, la, la! To sing’s a habit. 
Pleasant dreams, dear little Rabbit!” 

When the little fellow was asleep, 
Old Mother Bun said: 

“I hope he will stay a year and a day, 
I think he forgot about running away.” 

Old Father Bun remarked: 

“If he stays through one night, all will 
be well, 

But in Rabbit Land you never can 
tell.” 

In the morning the Runaway Bunny 
was gone! 


THE RUNAWAY BUNNY 


19 


He left his little brown traveling 
bag, so it looked as though he intended 
to come back some time. He also left 
a polite note to thank his grand¬ 
parents for their kindness. 


Now if you really want to know 
Where the Runaway Bunny will go, 
Just take this book and read and read; 
You’ll have a lively time, indeed! 




Chapter II 

THE HUNGRY RABBIT 

The Runaway Bunny went hippety- 
hop; 

He was hungry as could be. 

Oh, Runaway Bunny, will you stop 
And take a bite with me? 


The Runaway Bunny took out his 
little toy watch and looked at it. And, 
though he could not tell time, he said, 
“My fur and cottontail! It seems to 
be time for something to eat.” 

He decided to ask the first animal 
he met for some breakfast. 

He went hopping and skipping 
along until he met Pit-A-Pat, the Cat. 

He told her how very hungry he was. 

20 



THE RUNAWAY BUNNY 


21 



“Told her how very hungry he was” 

She said, “Come home with me and 
I ll give you a saucer of milk.” 

The Runaway Bunny replied: 










22 


THE RUNAWAY BUNNY 


“I don’t drink milk, though you think 

it funny; 

I am a peculiar Runaway Bunny.” 

Then he whispered to Pit-A-Pat that 
he wished he had stopped for Old 
Mother Bun’s breakfast, and he went 
hopping down the path. 

Pit-A-Pat remarked, “I ought to 
have asked who Mother Bun is. I 
might want to know some day.” 

My, how hungry the Runaway 
Bunny was! By and by he met Rough 
Coat, the old tramp dog, and asked 
him for a tiny bite of breakfast. 

Rough Coat said, “If you come with 
me I will give you a fine bone I buried 
last week.” 

The Runaway Bunny bowed po¬ 
litely and said: 


THE RUNAWAY BUNNY 


23 



“I can’t eat bones, though you think 
it funny; 

I am a peculiar Runaway Bunny.” 

“What are you running away for?” 
asked Rough Coat. 










24 


THE RUNAWAY BUNNY 


But the little fellow was in too much 
of a hurry to stop to answer him. He 
could not forget how hungry he was. 
He sang: 

“The Runaway Bunny is sad, you see, 
For he is hungry as he can be.” 

A wise old owl in the tree overhead, 
who said his name was Who-Who, of¬ 
fered the Rabbit a juicy bat. 

But the Runaway Bunny replied: 

“I can’t eat bats, though you think it 
funny; 

I am a peculiar Runaway Bunny.” 

He went on hippety-hop, hippety- 
hop, until he met Old Brother Bear, 
who offered him a taste of honey. 


THE RUNAWAY BUNNY 


25 


Now Old Brother Bear loved honey. 
So he was relieved when the Runaway 
Bunny replied; 

“I can’t eat honey, though you think it 
funny; 

I am a peculiar Runaway Bunny.” 

He went on his way, singing about 
Old Mother Bun’s coffee and rolls and 
doughnuts. 

He sang: 

“Oh, the best things to eat for a Bunny 
on the run 

Are the rolls and the doughnuts of our 
Grandmother Bun.” 

Next he met Foxy-Lox, that sly old 
fellow! The Runaway Bunny fairly 
shouted: 


26 


THE RUNAWAY BUNNY 


“My fur and whiskers! I have to shout, 
I’m so hungry I don’t know what I’m 
about.” 

Foxy-Lox crept up very, very close 
and whispered in the Runaway Bun¬ 
ny’s right ear: 

“Hungry for carrots and everything 
nice, 

I can supply you in just a trice.” 

Then Foxy-Lox, that crafty old fel¬ 
low, crept up and whispered in the 
Runaway Bunny’s left ear: 

“Hungry for cabbage and vegetables 
green, 

You’re the hungriest Bunny I’ve ever 
seen.” 


THE RUNAWAY BUNNY 


27 



“ Waiting their turn to be served” 

No wonder the Runaway Bunny 
was hungry. No breakfast, no dinner, 
no supper! 

Foxy-Lox said: 







28 


THE RUNAWAY BUNNY 


“Come with me into my den, 

My children are little gentlemen.” 

The Runaway Bunny followed him, 
muttering: 

“At the home of good Old Mother Bun, 
There are plenty of meals for every¬ 
one.” 

They went along until they came to 
the den. 

There was a table set with carrots 
and cabbage and tender green spring- 
flower shoots and everything else, in 
fact, that a hungry Bunny would like 
to eat. 

Sure enough, the six little Foxy- 
Loxies sat like little gentlemen round 
the table, waiting their turn to be 
served. 


THE RUNAWAY BUNNY 


29 


Old Foxy-Lox invited the Runaway 
Bunny to eat a good square meal. 

Nodding his head in the direction of 
the visitor, he whispered to his little 
Foxes: 

“You will make a meal, ’tis true, 
Then we’ll make a meal of you!” 

The Runaway Bunny had sharp 
ears. He began to twitch them nerv¬ 
ously to and fro. 

He could not hear what Old Foxy- 
Lox was whispering about. But he 
thought the old fellow was up to some 
mischief. So he said: 

“I won’t eat cabbage, though you 
think it funny; 

I am a peculiar Runaway Bunny.” 


30 


THE RUNAWAY BUNNY 


Then he looked at the carrots and 
said: 

“I won’t eat carrots, though you think 
it funny; 

I am a peculiar Runaway Bunny.” 

Then he waved his paw toward the 
table of tempting things. 

And he shouted: 

“I won’t eat at all, though you think 
it funny; 

I am a peculiar Runaway Bunny.” 

Then he gave one bound and was 
out of the den before Foxy-Lox could 
wink an eyelash. 

His talkative little ticking Watch 
made this remark: 


THE RUNAWAY BUNNY 


31 



“Then he stood on his head” 

“We don’t care how hard the climb; 
Friend Bunnv, you got out just in 
time!” 































32 


THE RUNAWAY BUNNY 

The Runaway Bunny was thinking 
hard again, “No breakfast, no dinner, 
no supper!” He sat down on a log to 
think. 

Pitter, patter, clitter, clatter, came 
the sound of two little feet. And an¬ 
other Bunny stood in the path before 
him. 

This new friend now said: 

“I went to the side show and took in 
money, 

So you may call me a wee Circus 
Bunny.” 

Then he stood on his head and did 
several circus tricks, as cunning as 
could be. At any other time the Run¬ 
away Bunny would have laughed. But 
he only said mournfully: 


THE RUNAWAY BUNNY 


33 



They had a fine meal” 


“The world is large, the world is wide. 
And I am empty quite—inside!” 


The Circus Bunny said: 

“We’re very near a garden plot, 

We shall find a good meal, like as not. 








34 


THE RUNAWAY BUNNY 


They went hippety-hop until they 
came to the garden. Here they ate the 
tops of some early spring flowers and 
some bits of tender lettuce. They had 
a fine meal before they were through 
with it. The Circus Bunny said: 

“Let’s live in the garden a night and 
a day. 

There’s plenty of lettuce; come, what 
do you say?” 

But the Runaway Bunny was off with 
a hop, 

With his ears and his tail going 
flippety-flop. 

The surprised Circus Bunny re¬ 
marked, “That is funny! 

That rabbit is surely the Runaway 
Bunny.” 


Chapter III 

A LOAD OF EASTER EGGS 

As the Runaway Bunny hopped 
along, it began to rain very hard. 

He heard a voice singing: 

“I like the thunderstorm and rain; 

Just why I do I can’t explain.” 

The voice came from a wee house 
in the woods. The Runaway Bunny 
stopped and knocked politely at the 
door. 

His little heart went thump, for 
he did not know what he should find 
inside. 

The door opened a little and a 
very old Rabbit peeped out and said: 

35 


36 


THE RUNAWAY BUNNY 


“I am Old Mother Give-Away; 

And now, sir, what have you to say?” 

The Runaway Bunny hung his 
head, for he had never been generous 
enough to give away anything in all 
his life. But as the rain was falling 
fast, he wanted to go in and dry his 
fur and whiskers. 

So he said: 

“May I do any errands for you to¬ 
day? 

I like to travel away, away.” 

In answer to this, the door was 
opened wide and he hopped inside. 
My, what a wonderful sight he saw] 
There were Easter eggs on the table 
and Easter eggs on the floor, Easter 
eggs on the window-sill and Easter 


THE RUNAWAY BUNNY 


37 


“Pa/inting piles and piles of Easter eggs” 

eggs in baskets! They were painted 
in gay colors—red, blue, and gold. 
Old Mother Give-Away said: 

“A messenger I thought I’d borrow; 
You may help me take the eggs to¬ 
morrow.” 



Then she told him how she and 




38 


THE RUNAWAY BUNNY 


Father Give-Away had spent many 
days painting piles and piles of Easter 
eggs. 

She said she wanted every Rabbit 
in the world to have an Easter egg on 
Easter morning. She wanted the eggs 
well hidden, so it would be fun to hunt 
for them. 

She went on painting the eggs, 
dashing and splashing the colors upon 
them. The Runaway Bunny planned 
where he would hide the Easter eggs 
in every wee house he visited. 

He thought he would put them back 
of books and in vases and back of 
clocks and in cups and bowls and 
baskets. There are so many good 
places to hide wee Easter eggs. 

By and by the two Bunnies curled 
up on the rug and fell asleep. 



“Splashing the colors upon them” 










































40 


THE RUNAWAY BUNNY 


Very early next day the Run¬ 
away Bunny woke up. 

He said: 

“May I start with the Easter eggs to¬ 
day? 

Please let me go, Mother Give-Away.” 

To his surprise Old Mother Give- 
Away answered, as though she were 
half asleep: 

“Speak to the Rubbers on the floor; 
They’ve heard that question asked 
before.” 

The Runaway Bunny laughed and 
slipped four little Rubbers on his four 
little feet to keep them dry, this misty, 
moisty morning. 

Then he asked again: 


> 



“ The Umbrella was in a 
very good humor” 


* 


•• 



42 


THE RUNAWAY BUNNY 


“May I start with the Easter eggs to¬ 
day? 

Please let me go, Mother Give-Away.” 

Then the Rubbers piped up to an¬ 
swer him: 

“Ask the Umbrella in the hall; 

It may not answer you at all.” 

The Umbrella was in a very good 
humor and, as the Runaway Bunny 
opened it, said: 

“Ask the Raincoat what he will say 
About going out on a rainy day!” 

The Runaway Bunny chuckled as 
he slipped on the Raincoat that hung 
on a nail. 

He asked as before: 


THE RUNAWAY BUNNY 


43 


“May I start with the Easter eggs to¬ 
day? 

Please let me go, Mother Give-Away.” 

The Raincoat replied: 

“Ask the Rain Cap; perhaps he’ll ex¬ 
plain 

Why we’re happy when we hear the 
rain.” 

The Runaway Bunny knew they 
were happy to get out in the rain. But 
he asked again: 

“May I start with the Easter eggs to¬ 
day? 

Please let me go, Mother Give-Away.” 
The Rain Cap replied: 


44 THE RUNAWAY BUNNY 



“About 246 Easter eggs in the Wheelbarrow” 

“Ask the Wheelbarrow, for he knows 
The home into which each Easter egg 
goes.” 


Then the Runaway Bunny ran out 




THE RUNAWAY BUNNY 


45 


into the yard and said to the Wheel¬ 
barrow: 

“Let’s start with the Easter eggs to¬ 
day; 

Come, Mr. Wheelbarrow, what do you 
say?” 

And the Wheelbarrow said, “I am 
ready to start this very minute.” 

Then Mother Give-Away came out 
and helped the Runaway Bunny pile 
about 246 Easter eggs in the Wheel¬ 
barrow. She covered them well to keep 
them dry. 

The Runaway Bunny remarked: 

“Now I should call this perfect fun. 

If I’d had breakfast with Grandmother 
Bun.” 



at every Rabbit 


“Tie left eggs 


house” 































THE RUNAWAY BUNNY 


47 


“Who is Grandmother Bun?” asked 
Old Mother Give-Away. 

The wind whistled so hard that the 
Runaway Bunny did not hear the 
question. But he went rolling the 
Wheelbarrow merrily along, singing: 

“Perhaps you may think it very 
funny 

That I should be called an Easter 
Bunny.” 

He left eggs at every Rabbit house 
he passed, and by and by the Wheel¬ 
barrow was empty. 

He left it in the road and went 
hippety-hop along, singing: 

“I wish you all a glad Easter Day. 

I’m running away! I’m running away!” 


Chapter IV 

MOTHER BUN’S VISITORS 

Said Mother Bun, “You may think it 
funny, 

But I miss my little Runaway Bunny.” 

Old Father Bun thought a long time 
before speaking. 

Then said Father Bun, “Would it be 
wise, 

In all the papers to advertise?” 

Old Father and Mother Bun talked 
on about the Runaway Bunny, saying: 

“In every newspaper in the wood 
We’ll advertise. It may do good.” 


THE RUNAWAY BUNNY 


49 


So Old Father Bun sat down by a 
table and said: 

“By my stubby tail, I shall have to 
think 

How to use paper and pen and ink.” 

He was not used to doing much 
writing. 

“Click, click, click,” went Old 
Mother Bun’s knitting needles. 

“Puff, puff, puff,” went Old Father 
Bun’s pipe. 

By and by he wrote the following: 

“Rabbit lost, Rabbit lost! 

Get him back at any cost. 

He runs away o’er hill and dale, 

He has long ears and stubby tail.” 


Old Mother Bun said: 


50 


THE RUNAWAY BUNNY 



“He took his 'notice to Chatterbox” 


“I would nail that on a tree. 
Where every animal can see.” 


Old Father Bun did not agree with 
her. He knew it paid to advertise in 
newspapers. So he put on his old 
felt hat, took his walking stick, and 
started out to a real newspaper office. 
He took his notice to Chatterbox, the 









THE RUNAWAY BUNNY 


51 


Monkey newspaper man. So all the 
animals soon read in their newspapers 
about the Runaway Bunny. 

When Pit-A-Pat read the notice, she 
smacked her lips and said: 

“Here is a chance to have some fun, 
I’ll make a call on Old Mother Bun.” 

So by and by it happened that Old 
Father Bun said, “I hear the patter, 
patter of little feet.” 

Old Mother Bun said, “Do look out 
and tell me who is coming.” 

Pit-A-Pat came to the door and 
bowed politely, saying: 

“I long for milk. May I have a drink? 
I can help you find the Rabbit, I 
think.” 


52 


THE RUNAWAY BUNNY 


They gladly let Pit-A-Pat in and 
gave her a saucer of warm milk in their 
best blue-rimmed saucer. 

While she was licking her chops, 
Old Father Bun said: 

“To inquire of you seems rather funny, 
But did you meet our Runaway 
Bunny?” 

Old Mother Bun said: 

“To call him Bunny we’ve formed the 
habit, 

He is also known as the Runaway 
Rabbit.” 

“Did he have long ears?” asked Pit- 
A-Pat, winking slyly. “Did he have a 
tiny stubby tail?” 


THE RUNAWAY BUNNY 


53 



“Gave her a saucer of warm milk” 


“Yes, yes,” shouted Father and 
Mother Bun eagerly. 

“Did he have a habit of running 
away?” asked Pit-A-Pat, looking nar¬ 
rowly out of her green eyes. 

“Yes, yes,” shouted Old Father and 
Mother Bun again together. 






54 


THE RUNAWAY BUNNY 


Then the most astonishing thing 
happened! 

Pit-A-Pat got up slowly, humped 
her back, and without another word 
walked out of the open window! 

Old Mother Bun remarked: 

“No use to cry for spilled milk, I see; 
Pit-A-Pat played a trick on me.” 

Old Father Bun said: 

“I think her actions are very funny. 
She must have met our Runaway 
Bunny.” 


“Rap-a-tap-tap,” sounded on the 
door. 

And in walked Rough Coat, say¬ 
ing politely: 


THE RUNAAYAY BUNNY 


55 





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“Whisk! with a hound he teas gone!" 

“I’m a lonesome fellow; I live alone. 
Could you give me as much as a 
chicken bone?” 

As luck would have it, they had a 






































56 


THE RUNAWAY BUNNY 


whole plate full of chicken bones in the 
house. So Rough Coat had a wonder¬ 
ful meal. 

Old Father Bun said, “Did you meet 
our Runaway Bunny?” 

Rough Coat said, “Did he run as 
though he would never stop?” 

“Yes, yes,” cried Father Bun ex¬ 
citedly. 

“Did he sometimes say, ‘My fur and 
whiskers’?” asked Rough Coat. 

“Yes, yes,” cried Father and Mother 
Bun together. 

Rough Coat gave himself a great 
shake, remarking: 

“I enjoyed my lunch, I do declare; 

Ask your questions of Brother Bear.” 

Whisk! with a bound he was gone! 

Father Bun said: 


THE RUNAWAY BUNNY 


57 


“We’ll have other visitors some fine 
day, 

No telling, though, what our guests 
will say.” 

At this very minute the Runaway 
Bunny read in the newspaper about 
himself. 

He read, ‘“Bunny lost.’ That must 
be I.” 

He twitched his long ears to and 
fro and turned to look back at his little 
stubby tail. 

He did not want to go back and 
visit his grandparents yet. So he 
started on, saying: 

“I won’t stay still for a purse of money, 
I am such a funny Runaway Bunny!’' 


Chapter V 

THE ANIMALS’ FOURTH OF JULY 


“We’ll have fun and frolic by and by. 
For soon will come the Fourth of July.” 

So sang all the wild animals in the 
woods. 

The Runaway Bunny ran on and on 
until he could run no longer. Then 
he set up a shout, for he had been 
traveling in a circle, and here he was 
back at his own little house in the 
woods! 

There was his wee spinning wheel 
in the corner. There were his dishes 
on the table as he had left them. 

He hopped into his wee bed and 
slept a week and a day. Then he went 

58 


THE RUNAWAY BUNNY 


59 



“Then he began to spin furiously” 

down cellar and got a cabbage to eat. 
He felt very happy. He wanted to 
work. Then he began to spin furiously, 
singing: 

“I can spin quite well if I only try, 

I will buy a flag for the Fourth of July.” 

“Rap-a-tap,” sounded on his door 
and in walked Pit-A-Pat, big as life 
and twice as natural! She told the 


60 


THE RUNAWAY BUNNY 


story about her little kittens who had 
lost their mittens. The Runaway 
Bunny listened earnestly, for he had 
known what it was to be cold. 

“When I sell the goods I spin,” said 
Bunny, 

“For mittens I’ll give you a pile of 
money.” 

Pit-A-Pat bowed her thanks and the 
Runaway Bunny began to spin again 
in real earnest, saying: 

“I can spin quite well if I only try, 

“I’ll buy firecrackers for the Fourth of 
July.” 

“Bowwow,” sounded outside the 
window. 


THE RUNAWAY BUNNY 


61 



There stood Rough Coat, growling, 
“I need a new collar. I want one with 
my name and address upon it, so if I 
get lost some one can lead me home.” 

The Runaway Bunny knew how 
hard it was to want things. So he 
whistled, and sang: 

“When I sell the goods I spin to¬ 
morrow, 

I shall have money for all to borrow.” 


Rough Coat went away happy. 






62 


THE RUNAWAY BUNNY 


“Whir, whir, whir,” went the cun¬ 
ning little spinning wheel. 

All day long the Runaway Bunny 
kept on spinning and telling what he 
wanted to buy for himself with the 
money, after his goods were sold. 

All day long the animals came and 
begged him for money. 

At last he ran to the store and sold 
the cloth he had spun. When he had 
given the animals the money they 
wanted, he said: 

“I’m a Runaway Bunny and here I 
sigh, 

I’ve nothing left for the Fourth of 
July” 

“No flag, no firecrackers, no fire¬ 
works,” called Old Who-Who, the Owl. 


THE RUNAWAY BUNNY 


63 



The Runaway Bunny dried his eyes, 
for he was so disappointed he had 
shed a few tears. And he said: 

















64 


THE RUNAWAY BUNNY 


“As long as I can make a rhyme, 

I’ll run away and have a good time.” 

He was just starting to run away 
when there was a great noise and Pit- 
A-Pat came with a large flag as a pres¬ 
ent, and Rough Coat brought fire¬ 
crackers. Soon all the animals gath¬ 
ered together for a surprise party and 
they set off fireworks and drank red 
lemonade. 

They all had a happy Fourth of 
July. 

The Three Little Kittens wore their 
new mittens and Rough Coat wore a 
new collar. All the animals hugged 
and kissed the Runaway Bunny and 
begged him to stay with them in the 
woods. 

Suddenly, without any warning 


THE RUNAWi Y BUNNY 


65 


whatever, he took his flag and, sing¬ 
ing a song to himself, went hippety- 
hop down the road. 

He sang: 

: • y~ 

“The Fourth of July is a holiday; 
And I’m running away, I’m running 
away!” 

All the animals clapped their paws 
and cried: 

“Please stay with us and forget the 
habit 

Of running away, dear Runaway 
Rabbit!” 


Chapter VI 

THE COUNTY FAIR 

The Runaway Bunny went hopping 
along, singing: 

“When I am lonesome I’m always sing¬ 
ing 

Of a jolly old kite that used to fly 
At the end of the string I was often 
swinging, 

And I said to old earth, ‘Good-bye, 
good-bye!’ ” 

“Good-bye, good-bye,” called a 
merry voice; and there in the path be¬ 
fore the Runaway Bunny stood the 
Circus Bunny. 

The Circus Bunny said: 

66 


THE RUNAWAY BUNNY 


61 


“I’ll run along with you, if you don’t 
care; 

I’m off for a trip to the county fair.” 

“To whom were you saying good¬ 
bye?” asked the Runaway Bunny. 

“I will answer that question when 
you tell me about the wonderful ride 
you had with the kite,” answered the 
Circus Bunny. 

But the Runaway Bunny had al¬ 
ready forgotten about the kite and 
could think of nothing but the fair. He 
was delighted to have company on 
the way; and he remarked: 

“What shall we do when we get to the 
fair 

And find all the animals gathered 
there?” 


68 


THE RUNAWAY BUNNY 


The Circus Bunny replied: 

“Your question to me seems rather 
funny; 

We shall hire a tent and make some 
money.” 

What a fine trip they had! 

Everyone was going to the fair. 
Some of the animals were going on 
foot and some were going on horse¬ 
back. Some of them rode in state in 
cars. Some of the animals traveled 
alone and others took the whole 
family. 

The Runaway Bunny said to every¬ 
one he passed: 

“I’m off to the fair. Good day, good 
day! 

I’m running away, I’m running away.” 



“Picked them up by their long ears 99 
































70 


THE RUNAWAY BUNNY 


The Circus Bunny kept saying a 
little rhyme over and over: 

“Will you spend a penny and form the 
habit 

Of calling to see the Circus Rabbit?” 

They arrived at the fair. But just 
as they were going to set up a wee 
tent of their own and make money 
for themselves, some one picked them 
up by their long ears and put them in 
a wire cage. 

The Circus Bunny whispered: 

“Well, this is a pretty how-do-you-do! 
I don’t know how to get out. Do you?” 


The Runaway Bunny answered: 


THE RUNAWAY BUNNY 


71 


“I really haven’t a word to say, 

This may cure me of running away!” 

By and by a man came and called 
out: 

“Performing Rabbits! Step this way! 
Hear what the Bunnies have to say; 
Their tricks are funny, and each small 
Bunny 

Is well worth all your admission 
money.” 

Now crowds and crowds gathered 
around the cage. The Circus Bunny 
stood on his head and turned somer¬ 
saults and said: 

“Will you spend a penny and form the 
habit 

Of calling to see the Circus Rabbit?” 


72 


THE RUNAWAY BUNNY 


All the animals in the crowd 
cheered and clapped, and cried, “Do 
it again! Do it again!” 

By and by the Circus Bunny grew 
tired of performing his tricks, and it 
was the Runaway Bunny’s turn to en« 
tertain the crowd. 

He had never done a trick in all his 
life and was wondering what to do, 
when the Circus Bunny reminded him: 

“You were singing a very comical 
song, 

As I was coming along, along.” 

So the Runaway Bunny sang: 

“When I am lonesome I’m always sing¬ 
ing 

Of a jolly old kite that used to fly 



“Up, up, up he began to sail” 




















74 


THE RUNAWAY BUNNY 


At the end of the string I was often 
swinging, 

And I said to old earth, ‘Good-bye, 
good-bye!’ ” 

At this very minute the most- sur¬ 
prising thing happened! 

The Runaway Bunny was so little 
that he squeezed out through the wires 
in the cage door! He took hold of the 
string of a kite that was near, and up, 
up, up he began to sail, higher and 
higher, until he soon looked like a 
speck in the sky. 

“Well,” remarked the Circus Bunny, 
“it was certainly fortunate that the 
jolly old kite was waiting for him. 
That is a new way he has found of 
running away. I believe I will squeeze 
out of this cage, too.” 


THE RUNAWAY BUNNY 


75 


So while the crowd was watching 
the Runaway Bunny, he tried to get 
out of the cage. But he stuck halfway, 
until kind-hearted Old Mother Bun 
pulled him out and tucked him safely 
in her market basket. 

Old Father Bun said, “What is in 
your basket?” 

Old Mother Bun said, “I will tell 
you when we get home.” 

Up, up, up sailed the Runaway 
Bunny. 

When he had sailed up a week and 
a day, down, down sailed the kite and 
he arrived in his own little back yard 
at home. 

He said, “I shall have a fine kite 
story to tell my great-great-grand¬ 
children some day. That was a fine 
ride I had!” 


76 


THE RUNAWAY BUNNY 


Then he repeated in a singsong way: 
“When I am lonesome I’m always sing¬ 
ing 

Of a jolly old kite that used to fly 
At the end of the string I was often 
swinging, 

And I said to old earth, ‘Good-bye, 
good-bye!’ ” 

He made himself a nice little supper 
and for once was contented to sit in 
his wee house. But that night he 
dreamed that he was running away, 
singing: 

“For a county fair I do not care, 

I can run away from anywhere, 
Wherever I go this thing I say, 

‘I’m running away! I’m running 
away!’ ” 


Chapter VII 

THE BUNNY SCHOOL 

The summer had passed and Sep¬ 
tember had come. All the school bells 
were ringing. 

The Runaway Bunny said: 

“There is one thing I can remember, 
School begins in glad September.” 

He packed his neat little dinner pail 
and went hippety-hop down the path, 
singing happy little songs like this: 

The Runaway Bunny, as a rule, 

Likes to run away, 

The Runaway Bunny said, “To school 
I go this September day. 

77 


78 


THE RUNAWAY BUNNY 



“I don’t know the words, 
I don’t know the tune. 


I’m the Runaway Bunny; 

I’ll get to school soon.” 

“Don’t be so sure of that,” called 
Pit-A-Pat. 

“Don’t be so sure you’ll get there 
soon,” said Rough Coat. 



THE RUNAWAY BUNNY 


79 


“You may not get there until after¬ 
noon,” growled Old Brother Bear. 

“I never before have made a rhyme, 
But I think you’ll not get there on 
time!” 

whispered Old Foxy-Lox, peering at 
the Runaway Bunny from his hiding 
place. 

The school bells all sang: 

“Come to school. Ding, dong! 
Don’t be late. Run along!” 

At this very minute the Runaway 
Bunny thought of something he had 
forgotten. 

He stopped short in the path, say¬ 
ing: 


80 


THE RUNAWAY BUNNY 


“I’ll hide my dinner pail in the wood 
And get me a pencil as a rabbit 
should!” 

He put his dinner pail down by a 
log and went hurrying home to get 
a lead pencil. Soon he came back hip- 
pety-hop with his pencil in his over¬ 
alls pocket. 

He stopped to look for his dinner 
pail. It was gone! 

He shouted to Pit-A-Pat, who had 
gone on ahead: 

“To get to school I will not fail, 

But where, oh where is my dinner 
pail?” 


Pit-A-Pat said she knew nothing 
about the lost dinner pail. 



mm 








sMisMi 


• ; '*,'.*v *•-'•'/ 


& 


“Brother Bear came up and whispered softly” 






























82 


THE RUNAWAY BUNNY 


Soon the Runaway Bunny caught 
up with Rough Coat and said: 

“It makes me shake my stubby tail 
To think I lost my dinner pail.” 

Then Brother Bear came up and 
whispered softly: 

“Ask Foxy-Lox down in his den, 
And his little gentlemen!” 

The Runaway Bunny was very 
angry to think Foxy-Lox would take 
his dinner pail. He wanted to go to 
Foxy-Lox’s house and get it back. 
But Old Brother Bear said: 

“I’d rather lose a pail or two 
Than have him make a meal of you!” 


^»w“ 



“All the Bunnies were in their seats’’ 


























84 


THE RUNAWAY BUNNY 


The Runaway Bunny saw that 
Brother Bear was right. It would never 
do to go to Foxy-Lox’s house for his 
dinner pail. Besides, that sly fox 
would never give it back. 

So the Runaway Bunny ran on to 
school and got there just two minutes 
late. 

All the Bunnies were in their seats, 
ready for work. The Runaway Bunny 
took his seat and began to learn a 
rhyme the rest were studying. 

He said it over to himself: 

“September’s here to visit us, 

In gold and russet gown; 

And we’ve been busy Bunnies since 
September’s come to town.” 


The Runaway Bunny was a smart 


THE RUNAWAY BUNNY 


85 


little fellow. He liked to learn his 
ABCs. 

He learned to read very well and 
he went to school sixteen days in 
September. 

Then one bright afternoon he heard 
the birds singing: 

“Good-bye, good-bye! To the South 
we go; 

Autumn is coming, and winter with 
snow.” 

He wished he could fly like his 
feathered friends. 

Suddenly he remembered how fast 
he could run. 

He did not wait for the close of 
school but went hippety-hop out of the 
window, singing: 


86 


THE RUNAWAY BUNNY 



“Learned the names of the flowers’’ 


“Long ago I formed the habit 
Of running away. I’m the Runaway 
Rabbit.” 

He stayed in the woods all the rest 
of September. 

From Old Brother Bear he learned 






THE RUNAWAY BUNNY 


87 


the names of all the fall fruits and 
flowers. 

Suddenly he decided to go to town; 
and he left the wild woods, singing: 

“The Runaway Bunny was made for 
play, 

I’m running away! I’m running away! 
Soon comes November, but still I’ll re¬ 
member 

The things I have learned in happy 
September.” 

The Runaway Bunny was running 
away toward town. 



Chapter VIII 

THE TELL-THE-TIME RABBIT 

The Runaway Bunny could talk in 
rhyme, 

But for years and years he couldn’t 
tell time. 

One day the Runaway Bunny woke 
up in his own little house and sang: 

“It is such a pleasant autumn day, 

I’m really thinking of running away.” 

He put on his Wrist Watch for com¬ 
pany, though he could not tell time 
to save his little stubby tail! 

He was going hippety-hop along 
when he met Old Brother Bear. The 


THE RUNAWAY BUNNY 


89 


Bear passed the time of day, but 
seemed to be in a terrible hurry and 
growled: 

“What is the real time? I fear I’m late, 
But I must get there, at any rate!” 

“Where are you going?” inquired 
the Runaway Bunny. 

But Old Brother Bear only hurried 
on. 

Next Foxy-Lox came along and 
chattered: 

“What is the real time? I cannot wait, 
But I must get there, at any rate!” 

“Where are you going?” asked the 
Runaway Bunny. 

But Foxy-Lox had no time to an- 


90 


THE RUNAWAY BUNNY 


swer him, and went hurrying down the 
path without even a backward glance. 

The Runaway Bunny said to him¬ 
self: 

“To tell the time’s a convenient habit, 
For even a funny Runaway Rabbit.” 

“Tick, tick, tick,” went the little 
Wrist Watch and it sang: 

“To talk a little is my turn, 

I’ll teach the time, if you want to 
learn.” 

The Runaway Bunny was sur¬ 
prised, you may be sure, and put his 
ear down close to the little watch to 
listen. 

The little Wrist Watch continued: 


THE RUNAWAY BUNNY 


91 



“The Runaway Bunny was surprised” 

. “To learn some things is in your 
power, 

The short hand tells us all the hour.” 

The Runaway Bunny skipped this 
way and that way, and sang: 

“’Tis more fun making a simple rhyme, 
With a little Wrist Watch to tell the 
time.” 



92 


THE RUNAWAY BUNNY 


The little Wrist Watch continued: 

“Let’s run a race. Come, who will 
win it? 

My long hand tells you of each 
minute.” 

Then the Runaway Bunny ran on 
faster than ever and the tiny hands of 
the Wrist Watch ran round its face. 
Before he could believe it, the Run¬ 
away Bunny was learning to tell time. 
He shouted: 

“A quarter of eight! I won’t be late; 
I’ve learned a little, at any rate.” 

He learned half past and a quarter 
past and a quarter of the hours. 

He sang merrily: 


THE RUNAWAY BUNNY 


93 



“Over this garden fence I’ll climb; 
I know it is my breakfast time.” 


He sat down and began to eat cab¬ 
bage leaves. My! how fresh and crisp 
they were! 

He began to wonder about the ani¬ 
mals he had met. He wondered where 
they could be going. Don’t you won¬ 
der, too? 










94 


THE RUNAWAY BUNNY 


All this time Old Brother Bear was 
on his way to the home of Father and 
Mother Bun. When he came in, those 
two old Bunnies were sitting by the 
fire. 

He took off his cap politely and 
said: 

“May I come in and warm my paws? 
Its freezing cold until it thaws.” 

Seeing that Old Brother Bear was 
friendly. Old Father Bun allowed him 
to sit in a rocking chair by the fire. 
Old Mother Bun gave him a plate of 
cakes, smoking hot, with honey on 
them. Old Mother Bun said: 

“I hope, kind sir, that you like honey; 
It makes me think of our Runaway 
Bunny.” 




Z-, m - - J£ m 


yF-- 

y- 

?-•' 

v*..' , - *. * ^Ais^-.ij?;;:^ ;io» V •' 






“Gave him a plate of cakes’’ 











































96 


THE RUNAWAY BUNNY 


“Did he have long ears and a tiny 
tail?” asked Old Brother Bear. 

“Yes, yes,” shouted Old Mother 
Bun. 

“Did he carry a little Wrist Watch?” 
asked Old Brother Bear. 

“Yes, yes,” shouted Old Father Bun. 
Then Old Brother Bear, who was 
something of a joker, smacked his lips 
and said: 

“Such fine cakes are worth much 
money, 

I also thank you for the honey.” 

So saying, he bowed politely and 
walked out of the door. 

Old Mother Bun remarked: 

“I really think it very funny, 

He would not talk of the Runaway 
Bunny.” 


THE RUNAWAY BUNNY 


97 



“TJp walked Old Foxy-Lox” 

Old Father Bun’s head went nid- 
nid-nodding. 

Up walked Old Foxy-Lox, tapping 
on the window pane. 

Foxy-Lox asked for cookies and 
honey, but Old Mother Bun would not 
let him in. 

He went off, shouting: 




THE RUNAWAY BUNNY 


“I saw the Runaway Rabbit to-day, 
And as usual he was running away.” 

“Call him back! Call him back!” 
called Old Father Bun, who had waked 
up in time to hear Foxy-Lox shout. 

Mother Bun shook her head as she 
counted her silver spoons, saying: 

“Though it may seem to you absurd, 
He sometimes robs good folk. I’ve 
heard.” 

Old Father Bun said: 

“Alackaday! What shall I say? 

Will the Runaway Bunny come back 
some day?” 


While all this was going on, the 


THE RUNAWAY BUNNY 


99 


Runaway Bunny continued to eat as 
much cabbage as he wanted. 

The little Wrist Watch said to him: 

“To tell the time is a useful habit; 
Let’s see you do it, you cunning 
Rabbit!” 

The Runaway Bunny had really 
learned to tell the time. But he 
wanted to tease, so he said: 

“It is bedtime, bedtime, 

O’er all the world in every clime.” 

Then he curled up in a hole in a 
hollow tree and went to sleep. 

All the time, his little Wrist Watch 
ticked busily on. 

For all who wanted to hear, it sang: 


100 


THE RUNAWAY BUNNY 


“For hours and hours I tick away, 
A-telling time by night and day. 

“My long hand always points the 
minute; 

And how much good can you do in it? 

“My short hand always points the 
hour; 

To learn it is within your power. 

For telling time’s an easy trick 
If you have learned arithmetic.” 

That night the Runaway Rabbit 
cried out in his sleep; 

“It is warm in a hollow tree, I declare; 
It is dream time, dream time every¬ 
where!” 


Chapter IX 

THE THANKSGIVING DINNER 



“The Market Basket cried out” 


One day late in November, the Run¬ 
away Rabbit sang: 

“To Grandma Bun I’ll hurry away, 
To help her keep Thanksgiving Day.” 



102 


THE RUNAWAY BUNNY 


He had gone hippety-hop only a 
little way when he sat down on a stone 
to think. 

To his surprise, the Market Basket 
he carried cried out: 

“Will you buy a turkey while on your 
way, 

For Old Mother Bun’s Thanksgiving 
Day?” 

“Dear me! My fur and whiskers, I 
never thought about that!” he cried. 
“Of course I will—now that you sug¬ 
gest it!” 

He rattled the pennies in his little 
bead purse. He rattled the dimes and 
quarters. 

He went hippety-hop to the market 
and said: 



“Surprised the butcher” 





































104 


THE RUNAWAY BUNNY 


“Will you sell me a turkey of eighteen 
pounds? 

How very grand that order sounds!” 

To see such a little fellow with so 
much money surprised the butcher. 
But he weighed the turkey and it quite 
filled the Market Basket. 

The Runaway Bunny was starting 
merrily down the road, when the Bas¬ 
ket cried: 

“Each Thanksgiving people sigh 
For rich and spicy pumpkin pie.” 

The Runaway Bunny saw a nice 
yellow pumpkin in a field and he man¬ 
aged to tuck it under his arm. 

He arrived home and began to 
make a pumpkin pie. He measured 


THE RUNAWAY BUNNY 


105 



this, weighed that, and cut up and 
cooked the pumpkin. 

He baked a wonderful pumpkin pie 
and was about ready to set out again, 
when the Basket cried: 

“Fine potatoes are a treat 
On Thanksgiving, if they’re sweet.” 

The Runaway Bunny threw his 
little red cap up in the air, shouting, 
“Sweet potatoes, sweet potatoes!” 

So, leaving his turkey and pie, he 


106 


THE RUNAWAY BUNNY 


ran hippety-hop to the grocer’s and 
bought sweet potatoes and took them 
home. He pared them and cut them 
up. He pared some carrots, too. Then 
he put them all on to cook. 

He sang: 

“I’m the Runaway Bunny; I talk in 
rhyme; 

It is lucky I started out on time.” 

The basket spoke again and said: 

“I don’t believe I have heard you say 
If you’ve cranberries for Thanksgiving 
bay.” 

The Runaway Bunny ran quickly 
for cranberries. 

He was back in less than no time, 


THE RUNAWAY BUNNY 


107 


and began to pack his Basket to 
take with him to spend the day with 
Old Mother Bun. 

At this very minute “Rap-a-tap!” 
was heard on the door; and in walked 
his old friends, Pit-A-Pat, Rough Coat, 
Old Brother Bear, and Foxy-Lox. 

Said Foxy-Lox, “Shall we be in the 
way, 

If we travel with you on Thanksgiving 
Day?” 

Pit-A-Pat began to lick her chops 
as she smelled the gravy. For the Run¬ 
away Bunny had the dinner all cooked 
to take with him, of course. 

Rough Coat thought of the turkey 
legs. Old Brother Bear smelled the 
sweet potatoes. 


108 


THE RUNAWAY BUNNY 


Old Foxy-Lox had a long head on 
him. 

So he said: 

“Let’s set the table here just to see 
How fine your Thanksgiving dinner 
will be.” 

The Runaway Bunny switched his 
ears to and fro. But he let the animals 
help him set the table with turkey, 
gravy, sweet potatoes, cranberries, 
and pumpkin pie. And every minute 
he grew more and more hungry him¬ 
self. 

Foxy-Lox said: 

“Though we do not intend to be im¬ 
polite, 

Let’s taste to see if the dinner is right.” 















“lie grew more and more hungry’’ 
















































110 


THE RUNAWAY BUNNY 


The Runaway Bunny enjoyed a 
joke as well as anyone. 

So he said: 

“I am really amused at what you say; 
Come, help yourself on Thanksgiving 
Day!” 

Then they all had a fine feast. 

The visitors felt a little guilty and 
whispered among themselves: 

“We think our conduct is rather shock¬ 
ing, 

But we will fill his Christmas stock¬ 
ing.” 

The Runaway Bunny excused him¬ 
self, saying he wanted some exercise. 
And he sang: 


THE RUNAWAY BUNNY 


111 


“I like to travel; I’ve formed the habit; 
I am well named the Runaway Rab¬ 
bit.” 

He ran off through the woods away, 
away, away! Would he never stop? 




Chapter X 

CHRISTMAS AT MOTHER BUN’S 

Old Mother Bun was very busy 
making Christmas presents and Old 
Father Bun was very busy wrapping 
them up and putting the animals’ 
names upon them. 

Every once in awhile, Old Mother 

112 


THE RUNAWAY BUNNY 


113 



“There were three stockings” 


Bun would say, “Did you remember 
Old Father Chipmunk?” 

Then Old Father Bun would say, 
“Did you remember Old Grandfather 
Weasel?” 

“Click, click, click,” went Old 
Mother Bun’s knitting needles, as she 
knitted scarfs and sweaters and caps 
for the animals. 

One evening Old Father Bun said: 


114 


THE RUNAWAY BUNNY 


“Are the stockings ready to hang? 
Because 

It is almost time for Santa Claus.” 

Old Mother Bun got out a big stock¬ 
ing, a little stocking, and a middle- 
sized stocking, saying: 

“We’ll hang up three, though it seems 
so funny; 

We’ll put one up for the Runaway 
Bunny.” 

So there were three stockings hang¬ 
ing by the fireplace. And every hour 
it grew nearer and nearer Christmas 
Eve. 

Now wasn’t it odd? At this very 
minute the Runaway Bunny was say¬ 
ing: 


THE RUNAWAY BUNNY 


115 



“Looked in cm old trunk'’ 


“By my stubby tail, at least I remember 
That Santa Claus comes late in De¬ 
cember!” 

He looked down the path that led 
to the woods toward Old Mother Bun’s 
home, singing: 

“Ha, ha! I must be off to-day. 

I’m running away! I’m running away!” 


He ran on happily. 






116 


THE RUNAWAY BUNNY 


Suddenly he stopped and remem¬ 
bered he had no presents for Old 
Mother Bun and Old Father Bun.’ So 
back he went hippetv-hop, hippety- 
hop, to his little house; and up he went 
into the attic and looked in an old 
trunk. 

“Ha, ha!” he cried. “I call this fun; 
Here is a pipe for Grandfather Bun.” 

Sure enough, there was a brand new 
pipe in a red velvet case. He looked 
down deeper in the trunk and found 
something else. 

“Ha, ha!” he cried. “Presents for 
everyone! 

Here are spectacles for Grandmother 
Bun” 



“He was getting colder every minute' 































118 


THE RUNAWAY BUNNY 


He put his presents in a little bag 
and went off hippety-hop, singing: 

“I hope I shall get there by break of 
day; 

I’m running away! I’m running away!” 

Sometimes he stopped to rest and 
cried: 

“My fur and whiskers! It’s cold as ice! 
I forgot my mittens, so warm and nice.” 

His little sweater did not keep him 
warm enough. 

His little paws were very cold! His 
long ears were even colder! He was 
getting colder every minute as he went 
hippety-hop across the snow! 

The next minute he jumped into 


THE RUNAWAY BUNNY 


119 



such a deep snowdrift that only his 
long ears stuck out. The snow got into 
his nose and eyes until he could 
scarcely breathe. He tried to wriggle 
out, but the drift held him fast. 

Tinkle, tinkle, tinkle went some 












120 


THE RUNAWAY &UNNY 


sleigh bells. And a funny old man, 
dressed in fur from top to toe and car¬ 
rying a big pack on his back, came 
riding along. 

He was singing: 

“I carry presents, as is my habit, 

Aha! I think I see a rabbit.” 

He got out of his sleigh and waded 
into the snowdrift from which the Bun¬ 
ny’s ears stuck out. 

Then he pulled the Runaway Bunny 
out by the ears. 

The Runaway Bunny shook the 
snow from his fur and looked at the 
funny old man. 

“Why, it’s Santa Claus!” shouted 
that surprised Bunny. “Hurrah!” 

“Tut, tut! This is no time of night 


THE RUNAWAY BUNNY 


121 



“Crept down the chimney” 


for little Bunnies to be out in the cold!” 
cried Santa Claus. “Come with me and 
you shall ride in my pack, where you 
will be warm and dry.” 

So the Runaway Bunny jumped into 




122 


THE RUNAWAY BUNNY 


Santa’s pack and almost buried him¬ 
self among the toys. Then he rode 
away, singing: 

“It’s fun to go in Santa’s sleigh, 

I’m riding away! I’m riding away!” 

They slid down many chimneys and 
climbed over many roofs. Then away 
they rode until by and by they came 
to the home of Father and Mother Bun. 
They peeped in at the window. There 
sat old Father and Mother Bun fast 
asleep in their armchairs. 

As Santa Claus crept down the 
chimney, he whispered to the Run¬ 
away Bunny, “You may help me, little 
Bunny. You may trim the stockings 
with holly.” 

So he took a bunch of holly from 


THE RUNAWAY BUNNY 


123 


his pack and the Runaway Bunny fas¬ 
tened sprays of it on the stockings. 
Then Santa whispered: 

“Curl up in a stocking and go to sleep; 
Be still as a mouse, and don’t you 
peep!” 

So the Runaway Bunny took off his 
little sweater, so that he would not be 
too hot in the warm stocking. Then 
Santa tucked him into Old Mother 
Bun’s stocking. He put her presents 
on the floor. Then he filled Old Father 
Bun’s stocking from top to toe. 

He left a card on the table. He 
wrote on the card: 

“Santa was here to pay a call; 

A merry Christmas to one and all!” 


124 


THE RUNAWAY BUNNY 


Did they have a merry Christmas? 
Well, I should think they did! 

Early Christmas morning, Old 
Mother Bun awoke and cried: 

“I don’t see well, but it seems funny— 
Those look like the ears of the Run¬ 
away Bunny!” 

Next Old Father Bun awoke and 
said: 

“I see very well—I have formed the 
habit; 

Those look like the ears of the Run¬ 
away Rabbit.” 

Then Father Bun took hold of one 
ear and Mother Bun took hold of the 
other ear, and they pulled the Run¬ 
away Bunny out of the stocking. 


THE RUNAWAY BUNNY 


125 



“Pulled Bunny out by the ears ’ 

They all cried, “Merry Christmas!” 

Then the Runaway Bunny gave 
Mother Bun her spectacles and Father 
Bun his pipe. And they had a merry 
time with the presents Santa Claus 
had brought them. 




126 


THE RUNAWAY BUNNY 



“Went coasting downhill” 

Old Mother Bun gave the Runaway 
Bunny a new cap and sweater, and 
Old Father Bun gave him a new sled. 
Then the pair kissed him on both 
cheeks and begged him to live with 
them always. He said he would. 

Then the Runaway Bunny put on 



THE RUNAWAY BUNNY 


127 


his new cap and sweater and went 
coasting downhill on his new sled. 

The very last words that I heard him 
say 

Were, “With Grandpa and Grandma 
Bun I’ll stay, 

And if I live a year and a day. 

I’m entirely cured of running away!” 

I wonder if he ever ran away after 
that. I forgot to ask him! 

If I were a Bunny, I do declare. 

I’d hang up a stocking with greatest 
care; 

And I’d always be very good because 
I’d hope for a visit from Santa Claus. 
And every winter I’d have the fun 
Of spending Christmas with Grandma 
Bun. 



128 


THE RUNAWAY BUNNY 


Who’ll fill our stockings from top to 
toe? 

Jolly Old Santa Claus! 

Who’ll laugh at the stockings all in a 
row? 

Jolly Old Santa Claus! 

And all the children and bunnies cry, 
“Hurrah! hurrah! he is riding by!” 

































































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